Tuesday, October 29, 2013

...and Other Times Homeschooling...

Last time I talked about the quiet side of homeschooling. The delicious, cuddly, family-bonding times. Those are pretty amazing. I also hinted that there were, perhaps, some other times. Times that are crazy. Times that are fun and funny. Times that are hard. Times that make me want to quit this adventure.

There certainly are all of those times. I will get to them, complete with hilarious stories (at least, I think they are hilarious...you may not agree...but, whatever). However, I will not get to them today. Today I am going to talk about a different part of homeschooling than I planned to be blogging about.

But it's a part of homeschooling that has become inseparable from our experience this autumn.

Maybe it will be a part of yours someday, too.

Sometimes homeschooling means learning that reading, writing, and arithmetic aren't nearly as important as this:
 and this:

and this:
Because in the end, it doesn't matter how much you know, how young you were when you began to read fluently or even how many languages you can speak. What truly matters in how well you love. How you care for others when they are in need. What truly matters is people.
 
Sometimes homeschooling isn't learning about Christopher Columbus. Sometimes homeschooling is learning big words like "cancer." Sometimes homeschooling is learning what it means to die. And what that means for those who are still alive.
 
Sometimes homeschooling is taking an early and extended Fall Break so you can spend several hours every day at a hospice house sitting quietly by family and friends.
 
Sometimes homeschooling is watching too much TV because Mommy needs to go into the other room and cry, scream, get herself together, write a blog post, process her emotions.
 
Sometimes homeschooling is learning that, although we are sad to be losing a beloved family member, "we do not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Sometimes Homeschooling...

Homeschooling means a lot of different things.

Sometimes homeschooling means getting to sleep in when we've had a big day the day before...
...cuddling up to read some classic literature together as a family...
...hearing stories about adventures and times years ago...
...sharing in the responsibilities and joys of putting food on the table...
...and making some artwork inspired by the day's activities.
Sometimes homeschooling is lovely because it's so peaceful and quiet. It has the slow easy pace of long summer days even when the autumn chill is in the air most mornings. It means family togetherness and special memories shared, taking life at a pace that is slow and manageable and hearkens back to simpler times.

Sometimes homeschooling is lots of hugs and cuddles and gentle voices, quiet spirits, and meaningful conversations. Those are the days that make me want to press pause and savor each moment.

Sometimes homeschooling is amazing and wonderful and peaceful and productive.

Sometimes homeschooling is not any of those things.
But that is a post for another day.



Friday, September 6, 2013

I don't understand the question, and I won't respond to it

School is in session, the pools have closed, the smell of Pumpkin Spice Lattes is in the air, I have 3 little boys with brand new hoodies...

and I am armed with my hot glue gun.

It must be that time of year. THE FALL.

In our house this means 2 birthday parties for 3 little boys followed by the culminating event:
Halloween

Now, we don't do the scary stuff. My guys are anything but tough. They think that Disney's Homeward Bound is about as terrifying a movie as they ever want to see. Forget Mary Poppins, even. One look at the box and they threw it to the floor. Chim-chiminy-chim-chiminEEK!

However, I am a pseudo-crafty, theater/dress-up- lovin' girl.

And I have worked very hard to instill that same love in my boys. The hubby plays along for me. He's a good man. What can I say? He loves me.

So I love to make costumes for the whole family.

That's where the hoodies and the hot glue come in.
You see, I'm way too busy lazy to actually sit down and sew a full costume for anybody these days. And we've all seen those kids in their flimsy store costumes completely covered up by a big puffy jacket because Halloween happens when the nights can actually be pretty cold. Therefore, it is my humble opinion that just about any kid's costume can be constructed using a hoodie and sweatpants as the foundation. So far in my house it's been done with the Wizard of Oz, superheroes & villains, Medieval times. I am hard at work making it happen for this year's theme as well.

I like to reuse old materials for grownup costumes, too. This year will also be featuring a prom dress from days of yore. Yes, folks, I went to prom. Once. No need to repeat. And the dress? Well, let's just say it was so hideous interesting that I have managed to lose all photographic evidence that I actually wore it. I will say that it used to have this beauty attached to it:

My house will be in a state of frenzy for the next few months...so if you need me, you may have to dig me out from underneath a pile of craft supplies.

Yes, you are right. The title of this post has nothing to do with its content. But who doesn't love a little Arrested Development?

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

1st Day of School

We had soft start to our school year over the summer. Embarking on this homeschooling adventure was a bit intimidating, and I felt like I needed some time to work the bugs out (and give myself an opportunity to back out on the whole thing) before the public school year began.

Plus, I don't really think taking 3 months off of learning and classroom rules is the most conducive part of the way we traditionally do school...but that's a post for another day.

With the schools in our area starting on various days this week, we decided that we would officially start school this week with a full day on Monday. They even agreed to pose for some Official 1st Day of School Pictures!

So now I have 2 wonderful Kindergarteners:
Mr. N 

Mr. W

They really are best buddies and are happy to be in the same "class" at school.
and a swell preschooler:
Mr. L
watch out, world!
We had a fun day full of Phonics, Spanish...

Reading (this picture makes my heart happy)...


Cooking (L thought this would be "the best dessert ever!" and even ate his dinner in order to get some)...


and even Roller Skating...


We were all pretty exhausted by the time we were finished with our day, but we went to bed with smiles on our faces.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Too Much Monkey Business

In the past 2 weeks, the 3 Musketeers have received Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles coloring pages in the mail from one cousin and have witnessed another cousin show off his choreographed dance moves to this little ditty:
Prior to this, they had little interest in the Heroes in a Half Shell or their Turtle Powers.

The tide has turned, my friends, the tide has turned.

Unfortunately (?) we don't have any turtle costumes, and only have one very small plush turtle toy.

My boys do not lack imagination, though, and have adapted the classic characters to fit their needs. I would like to take this moment to introduce you to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Monkeys:
Rafael

Leonardo

Donatello

Michelangelo

They're the world's most fearsome fighting team
At least those little monkeys aren't jumping on the bed anymore.
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